All posts tagged anupam kher

This week’s Bollywood release, “Special 26,” is based on a true incident of a group of conmen who camouflage themselves as law enforcement officials to siphon off the ill-gotten gains of politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen. Here is a round-up of what critics had to say about the movie. Read More »

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare sits with Bollywood actor, Aamir Khan on the 12th day of his hunger strike at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Saturday.

As anticorruption crusader Anna Hazare put an end to his 13-day hunger strike on Sunday, tens of thousands of citizens celebrated what many described as the triumph of his anticorruption movement. He stopped his fast Sunday, a day after Parliament endorsed a resolution agreeing to his movement’s key demands on a future anticorruption agency, or Lokpal.

Mark Bennington has photographed everyone from stars to strugglers. Above, fans line up for a glimpse of megastar Salman Khan. View slideshow.

Salman Khan gets mobbed wherever he goes, “like the Beatles.” Comic actor Boman Irani felt like an old pal. In spite of his “bad ass” image, next-gen actor Neil Nitin Mukesh is really “sweet.” Soap star Smriti Irani, who dominated the role of the saintly housewife, worked at McDonald’s when she was first starting out. Read More »

Who is going to be the next Om Puri—the Bollywood guy that American or British film and television producers cast when they need to fill an Indian or Pakistani role?

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Anil Kapoor attended the season finale party for “24″ in April.

These days some of those roles might go to actors born overseas, said Nandini Ramnath, Mumbai-based film editor for Time Out in India.

“It’s likely that the position that actors like Om Puri held will now be filled by people coming out of the South Asian communities in the U.S. and U.K. itself,” said Ms. Ramnath via e-mail.

But the current crop of South Asian actors who have grown up in Britain or America are in their 20s or 30s, so for older roles that require a little gravitas and an authentic accent to play those prime ministers, presidents, immigrants, participants in the War on Terror, and soon, wizard of microfinance, Hollywood and the U.K.’s Channel 4 will still have to turn to these stars. Read More »

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, center, on location during the shoot of the movie ‘Lamhaa’ in Srinagar earlier this year.

It’s directed by Rahul Dholakia, who also helmed the award-winning “Parzania,” which was based on the 2002 Gujarat genocide. “Lamhaa” also has its roots in recent history, focusing on the turmoil in Kashmir.

“Lamhaa” revolves around Vikram, played by Mr. Dutt, a retired paramilitary commando who is sent into the Valley to eliminate the man controlling the mayhem — Pasha (Yuri Suri). Little does Vikram know the operation will change his life and that of the people of Kashmir forever. Read More »

Anupam Kher decided to cede to his fans wishes and drop out of “My Friend Hitler.”

Film actors often say they have their fans to thank for their success, but how many actually act — or decide not to act — upon their fans’ suggestions? Veteran Bollywood film actor Anupam Kher, who by his own estimate has appeared in about 400 films over 26 years, does.

Mr. Kher, who was supposed to play Adolf Hitler in an upcoming film called “Dear Friend Hitler,” decided to opt out of the lead role after criticism from his fans and the Israeli community, who were unhappy to find Bollywood making a movie on the Nazi dictator responsible for the worst genocide in history. Read More »

Anupam Kher is a classically trained actor and drama coach. But he understands and respects the melodrama of Indian films. He has been in close to 300 of them since graduating from India’s National School of Drama in the 1970s. He has also performed in international movies including “Bend it Like Beckham” and “The Mistress of Spices.”

The over–the-top performances and storylines Indian films are famous for directly reflect the country’s history and character, he told a room full of hundreds of Sri Lankan students who are interested in acting Friday. The event was part of the Indian International Film Academy awards weekend in Colombo.

Indian movies are loud and colorful because its people are loud and colorful, Mr. Kher said. Read More »

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